IN-HOME CARE

In-home care is designed for people who prefer to stay in their own home but need ongoing care. When choosing an agency, keep in mind that there are two main types.

• Homemaker Services
These services include household duties and non-medical personal care. For example, bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and simply getting around the house. Depending on the state, these agencies may or may not be licensed.

• Health & Medical Care
These services include home health aides, physical therapy and nursing care. State and federal laws regulate these agencies. Also, they are usually Medicare certified.

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Steps in the Process

When considering an agency to hire, there are things you should think about and questions you might want to ask in order to get the highest quality of care that’s available.

Start out by making a list of the types of services you need. Call the in-home agencies and ask them some initial questions about their services, costs and certification. When you meet in person, ask the rest of your questions and any others that come to mind. The people providing services will have direct contact with your parent or loved one, so you will want to know as much about their qualifications and experience as possible. Some suggested questions to ask when looking for in-home care include:

General Questions

• Is their agency licensed by the state?

• What types of services do they provide?

• Are services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

Questions about Agency Staff

• What types of workers does their agency staff?

• Are their staff members bonded?

• What happens if a staff person does not show up to work  when scheduled?

• If the agency sends a worker that doesn’t meet my expectations, can a different one be requested?

Questions about Agency Cost

• What is the cost of their services? Do they offer a sliding scale?

• Is their agency certified to be paid by Medicare?

• How does their agency bill for costs? How often do they bill and do they bill Medicare or the insurance company directly?

Questions about Agency Quality

• Does their agency have references or satisfaction reports for itself and staff?

• Does their agency get inspected by an outside organization? Are inspection reports available to clients? When was the last inspection?

• How do they handle client problems or complaints and how do they resolve them?

• Does the agency involve clients and family members in creating the plan of care? How is the plan of care recorded and documented?

RESIDENTIAL CARE

Categorized by the level of care needed, residential care includes retirement centers, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. To make the right choice for your loved one, you’ll want to match the particular type of housing to their needs, wants, and personality. Below is an explanation of the residential care options you might choose from.

• Retirement Centers
Retirement Centers serve seniors who are used to living an active, independent lifestyle, and are in good health. Many retirement centers offer social interaction, recreational activities, transportation, shopping excursions, spiritual and faith-based programs, and personal care services.

• Assisted Living
Assisted Living facilities are set up to provide the senior resident with a comfortable apartment where they can live independently. They usually have access to services that help with personal care, meals, medication management, transportation, housekeeping, and their personal safety.

• Nursing Homes
Nursing Homes provide 24-hour long term care for seniors, or short term care for individuals who have been hospitalized and need rehabilitation before returning home. They can also provide specialty care for individuals with physcial or neurological disabilities. Nursing homes generally provide help with personal care, such as eating, dressing, and other personal hygeine needs.

• Memory & Specialized Care
Specialized care facilities deal with seniors who have issues with memory loss, difficulty performing certain tasks, language problems, time & place disorientation, poor or decreased judgement, problems with thinking or misplacing things, or issues with personality, mood or behavior. These can be associated with Dementia or other forms of Alzheimer’s. Staff are trained to deal with providing these seniors with fully supportive, 24 hour care and supervision.

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Steps in the Process

Once a decision has been reached that your loved one needs new living arrangements, you and your family need to evaluate what is best for them. Here are some tips to help you along:

• First, determine the level of care your loved one needs. This is the senior’s individual health practitioner or facility that makes the determination.

• Be sure to visit several different residences. They can vary greatly.

• When you take your tour, be sure to talk to residents, staff, and other visiting families.

• Ask staff members how long they’ve worked there. Low turnover is an indicator of quality.

• Check with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities to find out which residences are accredited.

• Ask about costs and any other details about financial arrangements.

• Be sure to include your loved one in this decision. Ask about what is important to him or her as you narrow your options.